Aap Government

AAP raises doubts over Delhi cloud seeding exercise after no outcome

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday questioned the Delhi government's recent cloud seeding exercise, saying no rainfall was recorded despite claims of artificial rain and raising doubts over the feasibility of such experiments in the national capital. The Delhi government, in collaboration with IIT-Kanpur, conducted cloud seeding trials on Tuesday in some areas, including Burari, north Karol Bagh and Badli, after a gap of 53 years. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said in a statement that the initiative aimed to explore scientific solutions for reducing air pollution in the city. "Preliminary analysis indicates a reduction in particulate matter concentrations in the regions where the trials were conducted, even though weather conditions were not ideal for rainfall," he said. Addressing a press conference, AAP Delhi chief Saurabh Bharadwaj said, "For the past few days, it was said that cloud seeding had been done in various areas of Delhi, but there was no rain ...

Cloud seeding likely within a week if clouds appear: Manjinder Sirsa

Sirsa said that they had received all necessary permissions and that pilots and planes are ready

Farmers have lost faith in AAP, want flood-related compensation: Minister

Union Minister B L Verma on Saturday claimed that farmers have "lost faith" in the AAP government in Punjab and want compensation for damages caused by the recent floods to be deposited into their accounts. On the Punjab government asking when the Centre will release the Rs 1,600 crore relief package, Verma said, "The state government does not need to worry... they will not be given (the money). We will give it to farmers." Verma, who was visiting flood-hit areas in Gurdaspur district, told reporters that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while visiting flood-hit Punjab, had announced a Rs 1,600 crore package in addition to the Rs 12,000 crore already in the state's kitty. He said Modi had asked concerned officials to carry out an assessment of damages in a transparent manner. After the completion of the assessment, the Modi government will pay the compensation, Verma asserted. The minister, however, claimed that the farmers have "lost faith" in the state government, and they are sayin

CM inaugurates Delhi's first large-scale biogas plant at Nangli Dairy

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday inaugurated the national capital's first large-scale biogas plant at Nangli Dairy, calling it a "proud moment" and emphasising that the city needs several such facilities to process cattle dung and municipal waste. The 200-tonne-per-day (TPD) capacity plant, spread over 2.72 acres, will treat cattle dung and biodegradable waste into compressed biogas (CBG) and manure, officials said. "This plant will not only help in cleaning drains and reducing pollution in the Yamuna but also generate green energy and revenue. Delhi produces nearly 1,500 metric tonnes of cow dung daily and one plant is not enough. The city will need many more such units in the future," Gupta said. Attacking the previous AAP government, Gupta alleged that the project was delayed for years despite funds being sanctioned in 2018. "It took eight years to complete this project because the previous government kept blaming Modi ji instead of working. They indulged in politics

Punjab to let flood-hit farmers extract sand from fields: Sisodia

AAP leader Manish Sisodia on Sunday said farmers will be allowed to extract sand that has been deposited in their fields following the worst floods that struck Punjab, asserting that the accumulation of silt in agricultural fields was the biggest concern of growers for sowing the next crop. Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to flood-hit Punjab on September 9, Sisodia demanded the release of "pending" Rs 60,000 crore by the central government. Addressing the media here, Sisodia said the party leaders, ministers, MLAs and even legislators from Delhi and party workers were engaged in providing relief material to the flood-hit people in the state. AAP's Punjab in-charge Sisodia said farmers have suffered massive loss because of crops being damaged due to the floods. "But now their biggest concern is about sowing the next Rabi crop as they are worried that sand which came along the river water has accumulated in their fields," Sisodia said. "At present, farmers' biggest con

AAP slams Shivraj Singh Chouhan over Punjab floods, seeks relief package

Punjab Cabinet Minister Aman Arora on Saturday slammed Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan for blaming illegal mining in rivers for flooding and alleged that the BJP leaders visit flood-hit areas for "photo-ops" instead of announcing financial aid for the state. Accusing the BJP of discriminating against Punjab, the ruling AAP said that the Union Minister did not announce "even a penny" in flood assistance despite the state government seeking payment of its "pending" Rs 60,000 crore from the central government. Chouhan had visited flood-ravaged areas in Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Kapurthala on Thursday. The Union Agriculture Minister had on Friday said he would submit a detailed report on the Punjab flood situation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The minister attributed the flooding partly to weakened embankments along the Sutlej, Beas, Ravi and Ghaggar rivers, compromised by illegal mining activities. In a post on X, he said, "When Atal ji was the prime minister and Parkash Sing

AAP dispatches trucks with relief supplies from Delhi to flood-hit Punjab

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday dispatched trucks carrying relief materials from Delhi to flood-hit Punjab, with the party's state president Saurabh Bharadwaj leading the first consignment. Kejriwal, in a post on X, said, "AAP's Delhi state president Saurabh Bhardwaj is reaching Punjab with flood relief materials. From Delhi, every day, our leaders, MLAs, MPs, and common people will also go to Punjab with trucks carrying flood relief materials and provide their services there." "Many RWAs and businessmen are also contributing at their levels. People from across the country are extending their support to Punjab. The entire country stands with Punjab," he said. AAP's Punjab chief Manish Sisodia said party leaders and workers were coming forward "with open hearts" to help the flood-affected. "Today, Delhi state president Saurabh Bharadwaj is reaching Punjab with relief materials," he posted on X. In a separate post, the party said, "The Punjab that has always helped everyone,

ED raids premises linked to AAP's Saurabh Bharadwaj, others in PMLA case

The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday conducted searches at premises linked to AAP leader and former Delhi minister Saurabh Bharadwaj and others as part of a money laundering investigation, official sources said. Around a dozen locations in the national capital are being searched by the federal probe agency under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they said. The investigation against Bharadwaj (45), former Delhi health minister, is understood to be linked to an Anti-Corruption Branch case into alleged corruption in health infrastructure projects by the previous AAP government. Further details are awaited.

Land pooling policy: Punjab govt's urbanisation push faces rural resistance

The policy aims to kick-start a new wave of urbanisation in the predominantly rural state

Punjab govt to introduce anti-sacrilege law in special Assembly session

Bhagwant Mann government will introduce strict anti-sacrilege law in special Assembly session on July 10-11, calling it a historic move to fulfil long-pending demand of Punjab's people

ED questions ex-Delhi minister Satyendar Jain in DJB-linked PMLA case

Former Delhi minister and AAP leader Satyendar Jain appeared before the Enforcement Directorate on Thursday for questioning in a money laundering case linked to alleged corruption in the augmentation of some sewage treatment plants by the Delhi Jal Board (DJB), official sources said. Jain, 60, reached the federal probe agency's office here around 11:15 am and his statement is being recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they said. The investigation pertains to allegations of corruption in the augmentation of some sewage treatment plants by DJB. The ED had conducted searches in this case in July last year. The money laundering probe stems from an FIR of the Delhi government anti-corruption branch (ACB) against a company named Euroteck Environmental Pvt Ltd. and others alleging a scam in the DJB in the name of augmentation and upgradation of 10 Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) at Pappankala, Nilothi, Najafgarh, Keshopur, Coronation Pillar, Narela, Rohini and ...

₹60 lakh revamp for Rekha Gupta's bungalow; includes TVs, ACs, chandeliers

The new CM residence on Raj Niwas Marg will see major electrical upgrades, high-end appliances, and luxury fittings; work to be completed in 60 days

Kejriwal to launch 'Gujarat Jodo' campaign during three-day state visit

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday embarked on a three-day visit to Gujarat following the party's bypoll victory in the Visavadar Assembly constituency, amid efforts by AAP to expand its organisational footprint in the western state. According to a statement from AAP, Kejriwal will be in Ahmedabad from July 1 to 3 to attend organisational meetings and galvanise support for the party's newly launched 'Gujarat Jodo' membership campaign, which begins in Ahmedabad on July 2 and will be expanded statewide. I am going to Gujarat today to meet the workers after the victory in Visavadar, Kejriwal posted on X before leaving for Ahmedabad. The campaign marks a renewed push by the party to establish a deeper grassroots presence in Gujarat, where the BJP has maintained a dominant political hold for over two decades. Kejriwal also lauded his party's performance in the recent bypolls held in Gujarat and Punjab, where it retained one seat each. There will be a big

Work on new liquor policy underway, to be introduced soon: Delhi govt

The Delhi government will soon introduce a new liquor policy with a high-level committee reviewing the policies of different states and preparing a proposal by June 30, officials said. The objective is to provide quality liquor to the people and to make the system of liquor sale and distribution transparent, modern and accountable, said an official statement. The government will also ensure that no aspect of the policy adversely affects vulnerable sections of society and that the safety and health of the weaker sections are not compromised, it added. A high-level committee headed by Chief Secretary Dharmendra Kumar is drafting this policy, and it is reviewing the excise policies of several other states for the same. The policy will include points on scientific testing of liquor quality, digitalisation of the sales system, prevention of illegal sales and ensuring transparency in the licensing process, the press note said. Learning from past mistakes, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said

AAP govt in Punjab built on foundation of lies, alleges Haryana CM Saini

Speaking to reporters in Sangrur, Punjab, CM Nayab Singh Saini alleged that the Punjab government has completely failed to fulfill the promises it made during the elections

Satyendar Jain appears before ACB for questioning in classroom case

Former Delhi minister Satyendar Jain on Friday appeared before the Anti-Corruption Branch for questioning in connection with an alleged graft case in the construction of classrooms in government schools. Jain was summoned by the Delhi government's ACB for questioning. Before leaving for the ACB office, Jain had asserted that the previous AAP government in the national capital worked towards improving the city's education, while the current BJP government was only doing politics. Speaking to PTI Videos ahead of his questioning, Jain said the BJP was trying to divert attention from key issues. "First, tell me, where did the word scam come from? They (BJP) do not want to work and are aiding private schools in increasing fees," Jain said. "Manish Sisodia (former education minister) did excellent work in schools. He has been summoned. I have been summoned. These are all tactics to divert attention. "They (BJP) used to say that dogs are roaming in the streets, but we will clean the ro

20 statements recorded before Sisodia, Jain grilling in classroom scam

Before summoning former Delhi ministers Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain for questioning, ACB officials have conducted an extensive and technically detailed investigation

Punjab Cabinet approves loan waiver worth ₹68 crore for Dalit families

The Punjab Cabinet on Tuesday gave its nod to waive loans amounting Rs 68 crore taken by over 4,000 Dalit families from the Punjab Scheduled Castes Land Development and Finance Corporation, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said. At a cabinet meeting chaired by Mann in Chandigarh, it was decided that debt accrued till March 31, 2020 will be waived. Addressing the media after the meeting, the chief minister said the state government will waive the debt incurred due to loans taken by Dalit families from the corporation for various purposes, including for opening shops, dairy farming, etc. The decision will benefit 4,727 beneficiaries, he said. Mann said Finance Minister Harpal Sigh Cheema in his budget speech this March had promised to waive the debt. With the cabinet approval, the promise will now be fulfilled, he said. Cheema, who was also at the media briefing, said the debt would include the principal amount and any interest on it, including penal interest. It is a big relief for the

Diaspora body slams Punjab govt for acquiring farmland around Ludhiana

The North American Punjabi Association has warned of ecological and economic damage, besides alleging a land grab, and has urged Punjab government to withdraw its plan, which is already seeing protest

CM Gupta slams AAP for ignoring Delhi's issues at NITI Aayog for years

Ahead of attending the 10th governing council meeting of the NITI Aayog on Saturday, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta accused the previous AAP regime of not raising the issues of Delhi's interests before the Centre's policy think-tank for years. In a post on X, Gupta said she was going to represent Delhi in the governing council meeting after years and present a roadmap for a 'Viksit Delhi' before the council. "The issues of Delhi's interest were not raised in the Aayog meeting due to the behaviour of the previous irresponsible governments. But now a double-engine government is on track," she said in the post. The chief minister also said that she will present a roadmap for a Viksit Delhi for Viksit Bharat' at the meeting to be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The aspirations and ambitions of Delhi's people for a developed city will be presented at the meeting, she said. Her government is committed to a Viksit Delhi', she added. Prime Minister Modi will chair the 10th ...